Boswell For Congress

Johnston, Ia. – Congressman Leonard Boswell and Camp Dodge officials led Texas Congressman Chet Edwards, Chairman of the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee, on a tour of the Iowa National Guard camp and training center this week to highlight how the Guard has effectively used federal dollars to create a state-of-the-art defense facility.

“I asked Congressman Edwards to visit Camp Dodge because I believe the Iowa National Guard has made great use of the military appropriations that it has received to bolster security at the camp and to improve its training facilities to truly prepare our National Guard soldiers for their mission at home and abroad,” said Boswell, a 20-year military veteran and new member of the House Armed Services Committee. “National Guard troops are being deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan just like other branches of our U.S. military. In fall 2010, 3,500 Iowa National Guard soldiers will be deployed under Operation Enduring Freedom. We must make sure that they and any additional Iowa Guard members are as prepared as other servicemen and women.”

Camp Dodge has received more than $49 million since 2004 to upgrade its training and facilities to meet the new demands on our country’s armed forces since September 11, 2001.

“Camp Dodge and the Iowa National Guard have a true advocate and friend in Leonard Boswell, and I am grateful for the opportunity to see federal military dollars at-work in Iowa,” Edwards said. “Leonard has always worked relentlessly on behalf of our country’s service members and veterans, and I am confident that he will continue to do so in his new position on the House Armed Services Committee.”

“These projects have helped to improve the readiness of Soldiers of the Iowa Army National Guard and the ability of Camp Dodge Joint Maneuver Training Center to support the Department of Defense's mission,” said COL Scott Ayres, Director of Installations Management for the Iowa Army National Guard.

Boswell and Edwards toured some of the specific projects that Camp Dodge has received federal support to complete. Since 2004, Camp Dodge, the Iowa National Guard, and the Iowa Air Guard have received the following appropriations:

• ·         $1.96 million for Motor Vehicle Storage Buildings at Camp Dodge in FY2010.
• ·         $4.6 million for alteration to the Security Forces Facility at the Iowa Air Guard base in Des Moines in FY2010.
• ·         $4 million for the U.S. Property and Fiscal Office at Camp Dodge in FY2010
• ·         $1.5 million for military operations urbanized training facility at Camp Dodge in FY2009.
• ·         $1.5 million to build a new main entrance to Camp Dodge for security purposes in FY2008.
• ·         $34 million for Camp Dodge AFRC complex in FY2006 as part of the Base Realignment and Closure initiative.
• ·         $1.5 million for a Camp Dodge readiness center in FY2004.

The Iowa Air Guard also received $5.5 million in funding from last year’s Recovery Act  to build a new Communications Building that will be more secure and energy efficient.

“It is clear to me that the Iowa National Guard – Army and Air – has become part of the standing forces of this country,” Boswell said. “It is important that we do everything we can to make sure they are trained, equipped, and have every opportunity that we give our active forces. The projects I toured with Congressman Edwards aim to do just that for our Iowa Guard members.”